Former New York governor David Paterson has a new post: teaching medical students about health care policy.

Touro College says Paterson is joining the faculty at its College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dean Dr. Robert Goldberg said Thursday that Paterson’s insight on the health care system and public policy will help students “be prepared to advocate for their patients.”

Plans also call for Paterson to help the institution with community relations, advocacy and pursuing grants.

Paterson spoke at the school’s opening in 2007. It’s in Harlem, where he lives.

A longtime state senator, the Democrat was elected lieutenant governor in 2006. He became governor after Eliot Spitzer’s resignation in 2008 and left office when the term ended in 2010.